https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/ en https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/chief-justice-calls-jury-service-cornerstone-american-judicial-system Chief Justice Calls Jury Service a Cornerstone of the American Judicial SystemCorren, Blaine Wed, 07/01/2026 - 16:01 News Release Outlined in the Declaration of Independence and later guaranteed as a right in the Constitution, jury service stands as one of the cornerstones of the American justice system. A new video featuring California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero welcomes individuals fulfilling their jury service and honors 250 years of jurors who have answered the call throughout our nation’s history. “Jury service is more than a civic duty—it is a privilege and a responsibility that ensures fairness and equality under the law,” says Chief Justice Guerrero. “When you serve as a juror, you uphold the promise that justice is not decided by government alone, but by the people.” The video is also available on the California Courts website at courts.ca.gov/courts/jury-service. Making the Jury System Better for JurorsIn addition to Juror Appreciation Week celebrated annually in May, the California courts show their appreciation for jurors all year round. Learn more about recent statewide initiatives to improve jury service in California. Additional Anniversary Video From California Supreme Court Justices In addition to the Chief Justice’s message about jury service, for this 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Chief Justice and associate justices of the California Supreme Court reflect more generally on the importance of justice and the rule of law as embodied in the United States and California constitutions. Learn more about the court’s recognition of the anniversary and see that video on the California Courts Newsroom. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/california-chief-justice-issues-statement-judicial-branch-budget California Chief Justice Issues Statement on Judicial Branch BudgetBalassone, Merrill Tue, 06/30/2026 - 11:34 News Release California Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero today issued a statement on the judicial branch budget for fiscal year 2026-27:  I appreciate the Governor’s and the Legislature’s strong commitment to supporting the essential work of the judicial branch. The funding provided for California’s courts helps address increased operational costs for trial courts and rising costs for court interpreter services and appellate court-appointed counsel, and the funding also accelerates progress on the five-year infrastructure plan for courthouse construction and maintenance. The budget additionally includes funding for 13 new judgeships over five years to help meet ongoing judicial workload challenges in counties with the greatest need. These, and the other investments included in the budget, allow the judiciary to continue ensuring that people can access the courts to resolve their legal issues. We look forward to continuing this collaboration among our three branches of government as we strive to ensure fair, equal, and timely access to justice for all Californians.” https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/california-supreme-court-justices-mark-americas-250th-anniversary California Supreme Court Justices Mark America's 250th AnniversaryBalassone, Merrill Mon, 06/29/2026 - 11:35 News Release On the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, justices of the California Supreme Court reflect on the importance of justice and the rule of law as embodied in the United States and California constitutions. "All California courts are committed to safeguarding the structure and the fundamental principles which form the basis for our government and the promise of this country," said Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero. The Declaration of Independence closes with the signers mutually pledging their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to one another: "In the same type of spirit, the people of this state play an important role in the mutual pledge that we have as it affects the courts, whether it's through jury service, civic education, or other forms of civic engagement," Chief Justice Guerrero said. "And the courts for our part across our state stand ready to uphold our commitment to ensuring that everyone is treated with fairness and equality under the law." Watch the video below to hear justices of the California Supreme Court share their reflections on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/california-courts-make-language-used-jury-service-more-gender-inclusive California Courts to Make Language Used in Jury Service More Gender Inclusivenatalie.l.ston… Thu, 06/25/2026 - 12:23 Feature This summer, the California courts are updating language used in jury service materials to be more gender inclusive, like changing the phrase “his or her jury service” to “a person’s jury service.” The updates help minimize gender bias and create a more welcoming environment for transgender jurors, nonbinary jurors, or other jurors that may not identify with the traditional gender binary. Approximately 220,000 transgender and nonbinary adults live in California. Updates to Jury Service Standards, Rules, and Forms  Earlier this year, the Judicial Council’s Advisory Committee on Providing Access and Fairness made recommendations to improve gender inclusivity in jury materials. Following those recommendations, the council adopted a new standard of judicial administration (a guideline for the courts) and updated three rules of court, two juror forms, and sample scripts used in jury selection.  “Building a welcoming environment for every juror fosters public trust in the justice system,” says San Francisco County Judge Michael Rhoads, a council member and a member of the council's Advisory Committee on Providing Access and Fairness. “The Judicial Council’s important work ensures that our juries represent the people they serve.  When people from all backgrounds feel respected and empowered to participate, our courts and our communities are stronger.” The new standard of judicial administration provides the courts with ways to promote gender inclusivity, including:  Avoid assuming the gender of a juror who has not indicated the pronouns they use.   Avoid seeking information about the gender of jurors unless it is necessary or relevant.   If it is necessary or relevant, provide jurors with the option to indicate their gender identity or expression, allowing for multiple selections and a write-in option.  The council also made updates to specific phrases in rules for court proceedings. The phrases include using “a person’s jury service” instead of “his or her jury service,” “prospective juror” instead of “mother” for potential deferrals of jury service due to breastfeeding, and “the prospective juror” instead of “himself or herself” for potential deferrals of jury service due to financial burden.  Other updates to optional questionnaires for prospective jurors included removing a question asking about the sex of a juror’s children and changing referrals to a juror’s parents, spouse, or significant other to gender-neutral terms. Lastly, the council amended two existing standards of judicial administration, which provide scripts for judges to use during jury selection. The changes include expanding the list of characteristics that might be subject to bias and using gender-neutral terms to refer to judges, attorneys, or others in the courtroom. Education for Judges on Gender Inclusivity  In addition to updating its standards and rules, the council also revised several reference materials for judges about ensuring access for LGBTQ+ people. The updated materials cover subjects like using inclusive language and pronouns, considerations for LGBTQ+ youth, and general best practices for inclusion of LGBTQ+ people during court proceedings. Council and Courts Have Long Recognized the Importance of Language Gender-inclusive language not only serves transgender and nonbinary communities but historically has helped endorse the inclusion of women in legal, professional, and social spaces.  Many words in the English language are masculinized, such as freshman, manpower, policeman, or congressman. Over the years, some of these words have been updated, like police officer or congressperson, to reflect the presence and contributions of women and other people that don’t identify as male.  Recognizing the importance of this type of language, more than 30 years ago the council adopted new rules of court to help address this issue. The council updated jury instructions to include “she” and “her” pronouns to refer to jurors, attorneys, and litigants. This helped diminish the gender bias that only men were participating in the judicial process. In addition to updating jury instructions, the council approved 66 other recommendations from its Advisory Committee on Gender Bias in the Courts. Judicial Council Committed to Providing Access and Fairness The council’s Advisory Committee on Providing Access and Fairness makes recommendations for improving access to the judicial system, fairness in the state courts, diversity in the judicial branch, and court services for self-represented parties. Key projects of this advisory body are outlined in its annual agenda. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/memoriam-associate-justice-joan-k-irion In Memoriam: Associate Justice Joan K. IrionMartin.Novitski Mon, 06/22/2026 - 13:53 News Release Associate Justice Joan K. Irion passed away on Saturday, June 20, 2026, after a long illness, surrounded by family. Justice Joan K. Irion was appointed to the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division One, in September 2003, and was unanimously confirmed at a public hearing of the Commission on Judicial Appointments. Before appointment to the Court of Appeal, Justice Irion served as a San Diego County Superior Court Judge. Justice Irion had recently served on the California Judicial Council and worked tirelessly on projects devoted to the improvement of the courts, better access for self-represented individuals within the California Court system, judicial education and community and youth civics education throughout her career. She was a frequent lecturer at judicial education courses and continuing education classes for the appellate bar. She appeared on several education panels for the California Academy of Appellate Lawyers. Justice Irion was instrumental in designing and implementing the high school education program for the December 2004 and September 2016 San Diego Special Sessions of the California Supreme Court. Justice Irion actively participated in the court’s outreach programs including oral arguments held at high schools in San Diego and Imperial Counties as well as Meet & Greet events with law students and grade school students at the court. She had a gift for interacting with people of all walks of life and always made the court a welcome place for students to learn about the law and the judiciary. One example of Justice Irion’s adept interaction with students occurred when an elementary school visited the court many years ago. At the end of the program, Justice Irion opened the floor to questions. One of the students asked how much money Justice Irion made, which was met with the collective gasp of the teacher/parent chaperones. Justice Irion delicately addressed the question without skipping a beat, informing the group of students that their parents/grandparents/aunts/uncles all paid her salary and that her salary was public and available on the internet. She gave the student a homework assignment to look up appellate justice salaries and put everyone in attendance at ease, leaving the students and chaperones with a positive experience. Justice Irion received her undergraduate degree, with high honors, from the University of California Davis in 1974. Two years later, she earned her master's degree in the field of public administration, with highest honors, from San Diego State University. In 1979, she received her law degree from the University of California Davis, King Hall School of Law. From 1978-1979, she served as Managing Editor of its Law Review. After law school, Justice Irion entered private practice as a civil litigator, where she remained for more than 20 years until her appointment to the Superior Court of San Diego County. She specialized in representing taxpayers before state taxing agencies and in litigating tax and business matters in the federal and state trial and appellate courts. She was a shareholder in the law firm of Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe, and its managing shareholder in the San Diego office from 1998 until her judicial appointment. Throughout her legal career, Justice Irion participated actively in teaching and lecturing at a wide variety of universities, including Stanford Law School, University of California Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California Davis School of Law (King Hall), University of San Diego School of Law, Vanderbilt University, Georgetown University, and University of Southern California. Prior to her judicial appointments, Justice Irion served as a member of the State Bar Board of Governors, a member of the Judicial Nominees Evaluation Commission, President of the California Young Lawyers Association, a member of the Board of Directors of the Bar Association of San Francisco, a member of the Statewide Commission to Study Mandatory Continuing Legal Education, a delegate to the American Bar Association House of Delegates and a member of the American Law Institute. Justice Irion was a member of the San Diego Lawyers Club, California Women Lawyers, American Inns of Court, the Association of Business Trial Lawyers, the American Bar Association, the American Law Institute and the UC Davis Law School Alumni Association. She also served as a California State Chair for the American Bar Foundation. Justice Irion was the Court of Appeal liaison for the Civil Appellate Self-Help Workshop, a joint project of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, the San Diego County Bar Association's Appellate Practice Section, the Legal Aid Society of San Diego and the San Diego County Law Library. The monthly Workshop offers legal information, education and assistance to self-represented litigants in civil cases.   As a member of the National Association of Women Judges, Justice Irion conceptualized, developed and was the first chair of the organization's Informed Voters Fair Judges non-partisan education project designed to increase public awareness about the judicial system, to inform voters that politics and special interests have no place in the courts, and to give voters the tools they need to make sure judges are appointed and elected based on their character and abilities. The Project produced an Emmy-Award Winning Public Service Announcement, "Fair and Free," featuring United States Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor (Retired), which is available on YouTube. Justice Irion accepted the Emmy Award on behalf of the National Association of Women Judges. Justice Irion was appointed to the Judicial Council on September 15, 2024, and served as chair of the Council’s Rules Committee.  Administrative Presiding Justice Judith McConnell said of Justice Irion “Joan Irion was an intellectual with a big heart. She cared deeply for those who appeared in court as well as for all of us who had the privilege of working with her on the many difficult cases she handled. She will be remembered for her scholarship as well as her commitment to serving the community.” Justice Irion ran several half and full marathons, loved to travel, and pamper her dogs and local hummingbirds. She was deeply devoted to the court, thoughtful and contemplative in her work, genuine, and someone with a great sense of humor and who was quick to smile.  Justice Irion is survived by her husband John Seitman, two married stepsons and a granddaughter, as well as by her sister Mary Irion and brothers Bruce and Brian Irion. Services are pending. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/chief-justice-appoints-8-new-judicial-council-members-0 Chief Justice Appoints 8 New Judicial Council MembersCorren, Blaine Thu, 06/18/2026 - 12:45 News Release Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero appointed four new voting members and four new advisory (non-voting) members to the Judicial Council. Under the leadership of the Chief Justice and in accordance with the California Constitution, the council is responsible for ensuring the consistent, independent, impartial, and accessible administration of justice. The following two members of the council begin their terms July 1: Administrative Presiding Justice Mary J. Greenwood (voting member), Court of Appeal, Sixth Appellate District, oversees the daily administration of her appellate district. In this role, she contributes to the statewide administration of the appellate courts on issues including budget, personnel, and facilities. Before joining the appellate bench, Justice Greenwood was the assistant supervising judge of the Family Division of the Superior Court of Santa Clara County, where she chaired the Self-Represented Litigant and Community Access Committee and served on the Supervising Judges Committee. (more bio information)   Chad Finke (non-voting, advisory member), court executive officer for the Superior Court of Alameda County, has 25 years of judicial branch experience, with expertise in court operations, human resources, labor relations, finance, and policy analysis. Finke spent eight years at the Judicial Council, including three years as a division director. He currently serves on the council’s Court Executives Advisory Committee and Trial Court Budget Advisory Committee, as well as the National Criminal History Improvement Project. (more bio information) The following six members of the council begin their terms September 15: Judge Eric J. Wersching (voting member), Superior Court of Orange County, serves as the supervising judge of the court’s family law panel. In addition to his administrative responsibilities on the panel, he adjudicates disputes involving marital property, child custody, parenting time, domestic violence, and surrogacies. Judge Wersching is vice-chair of the Judicial Council’s Court Facilities Advisory Committee, chairs that advisory committee’s Court Standards Working Group, and is a member of the Superior Court of Orange County’s Finance Committee, Security Committee, and Supervising Judges Committee. (more bio information)   Presiding Judge Rodney A. Cortez (non-voting, advisory member), Superior Court of San Bernardino County, has previously served as assistant presiding judge, supervising judge of the San Bernardino Justice Center criminal division, and supervising judge of the Joshua Tree courthouse. He also served three terms on the Superior Court of San Bernardino County’s appellate division and was also the court’s judicial sponsor of the pretrial release program. In addition, Judge Cortez served as chair of the court’s Criminal Committee, Security Advisory Committee, Pretrial Release Committee, Probation Committee, and Budget Committee. He has also served on the Judicial Council’s Court Security Advisory Committee. (more bio information)   Judge Nicole C. Bershon (non-voting, advisory member), Superior Court of Los Angeles County, is appointed to the council as the president of the California Judges Association (CJA). She presides over a family law home court and previously oversaw a community collaborative court that focused on providing alternatives to incarceration for at-risk populations. Judge Bershon has served on the Superior Court of Los Angeles County's Executive, Community Outreach, Court Security, Jury, and Temporary Judge Committees. Prior to her appointment as a judge, she served as a court commissioner for two years. (more bio information)   Commissioner Benjamin J. Cassady (non-voting, advisory member), Superior Court of Sacramento County, adjudicates traffic, small claims, and unlawful detainer cases, after more than a year of presiding over Sacramento County’s Night Court calendar for in-custody arraignments and pretrial release. He is also a founding member of the Superior Court of Sacramento County’s Artificial Intelligence Committee. Commissioner Cassady serves on the Judicial Council’s Civil Law Curriculum Committee and previously served on the council’s Information and Technology Advisory Committee. (more bio information)   Marta A. Alcumbrac (voting member), an attorney at Nemecek & Cole in Los Angeles, focuses on the defense of lawyers in complex litigation, including legal malpractice, conflict of interest, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, abuse of process, defamation, and malicious prosecution matters. She is a certified specialist in legal malpractice law and has represented lawyers and law firms in legal malpractice and breach of fiduciary duty cases for more 25 years. She is a member of the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Lawyers’ Professional Liability, Los Angeles County Bar Association Board of Trustees, and serves on the Judicial Council’s Civil and Small Claims Advisory Committee. (more bio information)   Alekxia L. Torres Stallings (voting member), an attorney and managing partner at Torres | Torres Stallings in Bakersfield, specializes in state and federal criminal defense and has served on many court-related committees at both the state and federal levels. She serves as a liaison to the Superior Court of Kern County’s Pretrial Assessment Committee. She also served as president of the Kern County Bar Association, which included membership on the bar association’s Judicial Appointment Evaluation Committee, the county’s local equivalent of the statewide Committee for Judicial Nominee Evaluation. (more bio information) More bio information on the new Judicial Council members The following members have been reappointed to the council effective September 15: Justice Carol A. Corrigan, Supreme Court of CaliforniaJudge Bunmi O. Awoniyi, Superior Court of Sacramento CountyJudge Charles Crompton, Superior Court of San Francisco CountyJudge Ann C. Moorman, Superior Court of Mendocino CountyClerk/Executive Officer Charles Johnson, Court of Appeal, First Appellate DistrictCourt Executive Officer Kate Bieker, Superior Court of Ventura County Departing Council Members Council members concluding their terms this year include Justice Joan K. Irion, Presiding Judge Patricia L. Kelly, Judge Maureen F. Hallahan, Judge Jeffrey C. Kauffman, Commissioner Ryan Davis, Court Executive Officer Darrel E. Parker, Senator Thomas J. Umberg, Attorney Rachel W. Hill, and Attorney Gretchen M. Nelson. Judicial Council Membership According to the state constitution, the Chief Justice chairs the Judicial Council and appoints one other Supreme Court justice, three justices from the courts of appeal, 10 trial court judges, two non-voting court administrators, and any other non-voting members as determined by the voting membership of the council. The State Bar’s governing body appoints four members, and the state senate and assembly each appoint one member. Council Members are volunteers and do not receive additional compensation for their service. Most members serve three-year terms, and each year about a third of the membership rotates off and a new group is sworn in. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/leadership-perspectives-chief-justice-ronald-m-george-100-years-judicial-council Leadership Perspectives: Chief Justice Ronald M. George on 100 Years of the Judicial CouncilCorren, Blaine Mon, 06/08/2026 - 10:51 Feature In celebration of the council’s 100th anniversary, former California Chief Justices and Judicial Council Administrative Directors offered their perspectives on the importance of the council and its mission to enhance access to justice. Their perspectives help show how the council evolved into a critical institution that promotes consistency across courts, elevates service to the public, and enhances the experience of those who rely on our justice system. California Chief Justice Ronald M. George California Chief Justice Ronald M. George (Ret.)In his role as Chief Justice from 1996-2011, George served as chair of the Judicial Council of California. In a recent interview, George answered questions about his time leading the council, including his biggest accomplishments as well as his greatest challenges. “The things I'm most proud of in my role as chair of the Judicial Council would be having the judiciary be in fact, and in perception, a separate and co-equal branch of government,” said Chief Justice George. Despite courts being part of a single judicial branch, he added that “it's so important to appreciate the enormous diversity in conditions among the courts” and that “diversity demands diverse solutions to meet local needs, and that the courts can adopt and adapt from what each court has done. We all learn from each other.” See the full interview with Chief Justice George on the Celebrating 100 Years of the Judicial Council of California website. More interviews in this leadership perspectives series will be posted in the next few months. ___________________________________________________________________________ History, Timeline, Videos, and Exhibit Further Highlight Impact of Judicial CouncilComplementing the judicial leader perspectives, additional resources on the 100th anniversary website help explain the council’s impact on California’s judicial branch and the residents who rely on the justice system: The Judicial Council of California: The First 100 Years (1926–2026): Narrative history of the council, which has helped to solidify the judicial branch and improve court services for the public. 100 Milestones for 100 Years: Interactive timeline highlights some of the actions taken or supported by the Judicial Council to improve the court system and enhance the administration of justice. Video: How the Judicial Council Is Transforming the Court Experience: Showcases just a few of the council’s transformative initiatives, including self-help services; language access support; remote access; and building modern and secure new courthouses. Council Leadership: Bios of previous Chief Justices and council Administrative Directors, as well as a list of Judicial Council members who have served from 1926 to 2026. Videos: Public Servants of California's Judicial Branch: Videos highlight some of California's dedicated public servants, who speak about why they choose to serve in the judicial branch and with the council. 100th Anniversary Archive Exhibit: Historical photos, publications, and other memorabilia from the council that highlight key milestones and achievements in expanding access to justice over the past century. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/photos-dedication-ceremony-new-courthouse-santa-rosa Photos: Dedication Ceremony for New Courthouse in Santa RosaCorren, Blaine Thu, 06/04/2026 - 15:28 Feature Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero joined judges, court administrators, and locally elected officials on May 29 to commemorate the new Hall of Justice courthouse for the Superior Court of Sonoma County. “Courthouses should reflect the dignity and integrity of the rule of law,” said Chief Justice Guerrero, who called the new Santa Rosa courthouse a new symbol of justice for the residents of Sonoma County. In addition to remarks by the Chief Justice and local judges, court staff played a prominent part in the dedication program. Court employee and U.S. Navy Veteran Branden “Aric” Rasmussen recited the Pledge of Allegiance and court employee Alexandria Hankes sang the national anthem. In addition, court employee Cyndi Nguyen read a poem she drafted about the new courthouse, reflecting on the “quiet promise inside the walls” of the new building that will protect the rights of everyone. Full-size photos and captions from the dedication ceremony can also be seen on Flickr New Courthouse Improves Services to the Public The new building includes features and services the court was previously unable to provide due to space restrictions, such as appropriately sized jury assembly and deliberation rooms, courtroom and clerk's office, and other public waiting areas, attorney interview/witness waiting rooms, children's waiting room, area for security entrance screening, and in-custody holding facilities. Green Building Is Energy Efficient The new courthouse achieved LEED Silver status, as designated by the U.S. Green Building Council. This is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance “green” buildings. The courthouse’s sustainability features include drought-tolerant landscaping, water-efficient irrigation and plumbing systems, and energy-efficient lighting. Statewide Court Facilities Program The Judicial Council supports the court facilities of California's Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal, and trial courts by providing a broad range of services. These include facility planning, design and construction, facility operations management, environmental compliance and sustainability, real estate services and asset management, and emergency planning and security coordination. Since the state judicial branch took over responsibility for courthouses in 2002, the judicial branch construction program has completed 39 new courthouse projects and another 14 projects are underway and in various stages. Learn more about the state’s courthouse construction projects https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/commission-confirms-five-appointments-courts-appeal-0 Commission Confirms Five Appointments to Courts of Appealnatalie.l.ston… Fri, 05/22/2026 - 10:51 News Release Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, chair of the Commission on Judicial Appointments, announced today that the commission confirmed five appointments to California’s Courts of Appeal in Los Angeles, Santa Ana, Fresno, and San Diego: Judge Stephen Goorvitch, as associate justice of the Second Appellate District, Division Two (Los Angeles) Justice Joanne Motoike, as presiding justice of the Fourth Appellate District, Division Three (Santa Ana)  Judge Amy Guerra, as associate justice of the Fifth Appellate District (Fresno) Judge Eran M. Bermudez, as associate justice of the Fourth Appellate District, Division One (San Diego)  Judge Deborah C. Servino, as associate justice of the Fourth Appellate District, Division Three (Santa Ana) The appointees were confirmed by unanimous vote of the three-member commission, which includes: California Chef Justice Patricia Guerrero (Chair); California Attorney General Rob Bonta; Presiding Justice Frances Rothschild (for the Second Appellate District, Division Two, hearing); Presiding Justice Manuel Ramirez (for the Fourth Appellate District, Divisions One and Three, hearings); and Administrative Presiding Justice Brad R. Hill (for the Fifth Appellate District hearing).  You can learn more in the public documents available for this hearing.  Appointee Biographies Judge Stephen Goorvitch fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Judith T. Ashmann-Gerst. He has served as a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge since 2015. Before joining the bench, he served as an assistant U.S. attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California, from 2007 to 2015. He was counsel at O’Melveny and Myers from 2003 to 2007. He served as a law clerk in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California from 2001 to 2003. He served as a staff attorney in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from 1998 to 2001. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.  Justice Joanne Motoike fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Presiding Justice Kathleen E. O’Leary. She has served as an associate justice in the Fourth Appellate District, Division Three, since 2022. She served as an Orange County Superior Court judge from 2013 to 2022. Before joining the bench, she was a senior deputy public defender in Orange County from 2008 to 2013. She also worked as a trial attorney at the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal from 2006 to 2008. She received her Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School.  Judge Amy Guerra fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Bruce Smith. She has served as a judge in the Fresno County Superior Court since 2018. Before joining the bench, she worked as the chief defense attorney at the Fresno County Alternate Defense Office from 2014 to 2018 and as an associate with the office from 2007 to 2014. She received her Juris Doctor from the San Joaquin College of Law.  Judge Eran M. Bermudez fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Richard D. Huffman. She has served as a judge in the Imperial County Superior Court since 2018. Before joining the bench, she worked as a compliance resolution officer at the University of California, San Diego, from 2016 to 2018 and in private practice from 2005 to 2016. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.  Judge Deborah C. Servino fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Thomas M. Goethals. She has served as a judge in the Orange County Superior Court since 2009. Before joining the bench, she served as a deputy attorney general at the California Attorney General’s Office from 1997 to 2009. Previously, she worked in private practice and as a law clerk at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit from 1995 to 1997. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.   View the full photo album on the California Court's Flickr. https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/few-good-fellows A Few Good Fellowselaine.chan Wed, 05/20/2026 - 11:26 Feature Mihini Jayasinghe is not an attorney, but she is supporting the development and implementation of a self-service chatbot that will help litigants without attorneys better navigate the court process. Jayasinghe is a Judicial Fellow at the Orange Superior Court, where her fellowship project goals are to streamline the self-help staff workload, shorten in-person wait times, and expand access to procedural guidance for self-represented litigants. Jayasinghe’s experience on this project is just one example of how the statewide Judicial Fellowship Program is making a difference and improving access to justice in California. What is the Judicial Fellowship Program?  The Judicial Fellowship is a 10-month graduate-level program that offers participants a unique opportunity to work in court administration and learn about California’s judicial branch. It is part of the nationally recognized Capital Fellows Programs, which also has fellowships in the other branches of state government. Participants are placed in either Judicial Council staff offices or executive offices at superior courts around the state. Upon completion of the program, participants receive a graduate certificate in Applied Policy and Government through Sacramento State. Unique Post-Graduate Opportunity Interest in the Judicial Fellowship Program has grown dramatically. The first Judicial Fellowship cohort (1997-98) had five fellows, then expanded to ten soon after. Over the past two application cycles, there has been a near 100% year-over-year increase in applications, making the program highly attractive to potential participants. The increased interest in the program could be tied to its unique subject matter and work experience compared to other entry-level positions. “There is a real specialty in serving as a Judicial Fellow because of the work experience exposure combined with the educational component,” according to Megan Thorall, the director of the program. “As far as I know, we’re the only program of our kind in the nation.” Sidney Sheets, a fellow with the Judicial Council’s Office of Governmental Affairs, described her surprise at the breadth of exposure and variety of work she’s done. “I’ve just learned so much about the legislative process, how it impacts the courts and the public,” said Sheets. “I really feel like I’ve gotten a bird’s eye view and a foundational understanding of California government as a whole.” Program Support One feature that sets the program apart is its strong support network. Participants have a program director and a mentor in their placement office providing support throughout the year. Giovana De Loia, a fellow with the Placer Superior Court, describes the mentorship as her favorite component. “I meet with [court executive officer] Jake [Chatters] every week and I probably talk to him every single day about whatever I'm doing,” said De Loia. “He's always there for any questions that I have. And with Megan, the program director, it's kind of like having two mentors who are also your bosses, which is not typical for a regular entry-level job.” Jayasinghe appreciates the guidance and welcome she’s received from the Orange Superior Court. “From the very beginning, I have just received an unbelievable amount of support from everyone within the court,” said Jayasinghe. “All the different departments and the different teams that I work with are just incredibly friendly and supportive, and really willing to show me the ropes and share their knowledge,” she said. Academic and Field Seminars A key aspect of the program is the academic seminar, where fellows learn about the history and fundamentals of court administration and contemporary issues facing the judiciary. "The academic seminar material often ties into what’s happening at the courthouse,” said De Loia. “It’s nice to see the theoretical turning into the practical.” The seminar is taught by the programs academic advisor, Court Executive Officer Sharif Elmallah. In addition to the academic component, fellows participate in monthly field seminars where they visit different superior courts across the state and learn about various programs and policy areas. Recent field seminars included a visit to the Butte Superior Court to learn about juvenile justice and a visit to the Orange Superior Court to learn about technological innovations being developed there. The seminars allow fellows to understand issues affecting the branch from multiple perspectives. “There’s something really satisfying about getting to see things in your placement, reading about them in class, and then hearing about them in the field seminar,” said Hailee Pitschke, a fellow placed with the Los Angeles Superior Court. Fellowship Projects Improve Access to Justice The fellowship culminates in a fellowship project that participants spend much of the year developing. During the field seminar to the Butte Superior Court, fellows heard about a number of different fellowship projects completed in recent years, including procuring and installing a jury check-in kiosk, and fully producing a self-help video guide for the public. These tangible improvements fellows have created, installed, or implemented continue to help serve the public as lasting proof of their work towards improving access to justice. Beyond the work product fellows leave behind, Program Director Thorall notes that fellows leave other benefits too, with each class leaving a real impression on the mentors and the court. “They're all very special each in their own way, and I think that you need that in a professional space,” she said. “It’s such a privilege to have the fellows because [they] really give a lot of joy and a lot of ideas.” “The camaraderie amongst all of the Judicial Fellows is something that really stands out to me,” said Jayasinghe. “It’s incredible to be in the same space as like-minded individuals who are incredibly passionate about public service. I don't think there's ever a dull moment in the academic and field seminar because of the fellows. It's something that I'm very grateful for and I will never forget about this experience.” Career Possibilities The program has also influenced what fellows hope to pursue in the future. Just like many former fellows have stayed in the judicial branch or in public service, several current fellows also expressed a desire to remain in the branch beyond their fellowship and continue working to improve access to justice for the public. Christian Mendoza, placed in the Judicial Council’s Policy and Research office, shared how the experience has shaped his goals. “It solidified my passion for really wanting to stay in public service,” said Mendoza. “I always wanted to be able to give back to my community and uplift individuals that have grown up in similar circumstances to me or my family. The branch's message of providing equal access to justice is something that resonates deeply within me and I can see that I'm making some sort of impact.”